CGS Retreat 2018

Our hope was to inspire, challenge and motivate our attendees and give them useful tools to help spread the "CGS Gourd Glow" and fulfill the CGS mission with our members, our regional gourd groups and the public, in a fun and relaxed setting.

GCS Members received: A welcome goodie bag, and several art project kits. We had a Trading Post with items that the members brought to sell and trade. CGS had a Raffle to fund future Retreats. There was plenty of time to work on your own projects, enjoy the area surrounding ECCO or have a spa treatment.

Each attendee received a kit with two different precut doll bodies and embellishments.
Gourd Gals are the Best!

The late Jim Story of Pendelton, Indiana enthusiastically promoted
the wearing of gourd jewelry and apparel at gourd festivals in many states. In
his honor the California Gourd Society sponsored a Hat Parade at the Oakhurst
Retreat.

Six competition categories had been announced in
advance so participants would have time to create something to fit. Only a few
hats were seen on the first day.Some
judges had concerns there might not be enough entries to award all the ribbons.
When the hat parade was announced by Pam Argo 34 people rose wearing hats that
seemed to appear out of nowhere!Some
were wearing entire head-to toe costumes to match their hats.The San Diego group surprised everyone with
their coordinated Mickey Mouse themed hats.The group even entertained everyone by singing the Mickey Mouse song
causing the room to join in.

Participants were asked to parade slowly around
the room while judges Betty Finch and Sylvia Nelson conferred.There were many fabulous hats. The quality
and quantity of entries had the judges so overwhelmed it was decided to have
the participants stand still so the judgescould walk down the line to more closely observe the details and
interview the participants. Sylvia and Betty independently chose two or three
favorites for each category.With
assistance from the President, Olive Moore, the lists were compared.Where both judges had selected the same hat
in a category the name was circled revealing the winners.

Category winners were called to the front and the
other participants returned to their seats to cheer for their favorites.The overall winner was determined by audience
applause. Christy Tsai's beautiful, stylish, bird nest hat was proclaimed the
winner and Pam presented her with a $100 bill.